[ShadowPhoenix]

Recently on my desktop machine, I tried to boot Windows XP SP3 but I always get the Data Execution Prevention message popping up saying that it stopped explorer.exe from booting. Now, since explorer.exe is the basis of the Windows GUI, without it I can't actually use my computer.

Usually when this happens, I get the desktop up for a bit, I can move the mouse around, but I can't click on anything. After a few minutes or so, I get a quick BSOD pop up, but it's there and gone so fast that I can't read what's on it. It's not a full BSOD, just two lines of text followed by some numbers.

Now, is it possible to repair the Windows installation *without* formatting the drive? I know that there is a way, but I've never done this before, so some help would be nice.

I was toying around with it, trying to find the option to do a repair install and I stumbled upon the Windows Advanced Recovery Console (when booting from the XP CD). Is there a command in here that is used to repair the installation?

Also, when booting to safe mode, I get the following message:

One of the files containing the system's Registry data had to be recovered by use of a log or alternate copy. The recovery was successful.

However, this still doesn't fix the problem.

Specs: (don't laugh, it's an old machine)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual 4600+ 2.41GHz
1.00gb Ram
150gb HDD
NVidia GeForce 6800 XT
Windows XP Pro SP3

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Is this a name brand system? If so what is the make and model?
Do you have genuine Microsoft xp disc?

[rshaffer61]

Is this a name brand system? If so what is the make and model?
Do you have genuine Microsoft xp disc?

[ShadowPhoenix]

Yes, I do have the Genuine Windows XP disc. And yes, it is a name brand system. It was built by Touch Systems. As for the make and model, I'm not sure which. Sorry.

Also, just started running a chkdsk. I got the message "Correcting error in index $I30 for file 31376". It showed up twice. Does this mean anything significant?

Edited by ShadowPhoenix, 30 March 2009 - 11:23 AM.

[rshaffer61]

Not sure about the error, but another suggestion for you.
Once chkdsk is finished and if it doesn't fix the problem
you can try to run sfc /scannow
you will need the xp disk most likely to do this.

Edited by rshaffer61, 30 March 2009 - 11:26 AM.

[ShadowPhoenix]

Alright. Do I just run it from the command console in safe mode or from the Advanced Recovery Console on the disc?

Once I run it, I'll let you know how it went... If chkdsk ever finishes.

[rshaffer61]

we crossed posted. Make sure chkdsk didn't fix the problem before attempting sfc /scannow
yes its run the same way you ran chkdsk

[ShadowPhoenix]

[bleep], I hate when cross posting happens

Anyways, I will check if it fixes it. If not, I'll run sfc /scannow. And if that doesn't work, well I guess I'm back to square one.

Thank you for the help good sir.

[rshaffer61]

Not a problem and there are other ways to get this fixed.

[ShadowPhoenix]

Chkdsk did not fix the issue, unfortunately.

I'm having some issues with the sfc /scannow command. I keep getting the error message

Windows File Protection could not initialize a scan of protected system files.

The specific error code is 0x000006ba [The RPC server is unavailable]

Now, you said I'd need my XP disc for this, so I put it into the drive and tried again, but I had the same message pop up.

What am I doing wrong?

Edited by ShadowPhoenix, 30 March 2009 - 07:24 PM.

[rshaffer61]

I don't think you are doing anything wrong..
Let me do some looking and see whats going on.. I;m sure its a easy problem to overcome

[rshaffer61]

Well you asked at the beginning of all this if we could reinstall windows without losing any data right?
Are you up for trying that?

[rshaffer61]

Hey maybe hfcg has an ideal on this. I'm always willing to let someone else who knows more step in

[ShadowPhoenix]

Yeah, I'm still up for a repair install of XP, so long as its possible to do without having to format the drive. I've never done such a thing before but I've heard it's possible...

Although, I have ways of backing up the HDD before reformatting.

Anyways, I'm going to let it sit for the night. I'll try again tomorrow.

Thanks again.

[rshaffer61]

Ok I will be here. I'm a early riser so I'll check as soon as I get up.

[rshaffer61]

There is something else that we can try. That is to replace the explorer.exe file
I just want to make sure what you are seeing first tho

Is it
Explorer.exe this is windows explorer
or is it
explore.exe this is a virus
please be sure as it will determine what we do next